New York Mets ace Max Scherzer was ejected Wednesday from his start against the Los Angeles Dodgers for apparently having an illegal foreign substance on his glove.
First-base umpire Phil Cuzzi ejected Scherzer, 38, prior to the start of the bottom of the fourth inning after the crew performed a substance check on Scherzer’s glove — the second of the day. After a lengthy discussion in which Scherzer was seen pleading his case, often demonstrably, Cuzzi tossed him, leaving Scherzer in disbelief.
Scherzer then had a lengthy discussion with Mets manager Buck Showalter before he left the field.
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In the second inning, Scherzer had met with umpires for a sticky substances check. Then, prior to the bottom of the third, the crew asked Scherzer to swap out his glove with another one, which he did before he retired the side.
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SNY reporter Steve Gelbs said in a report during the broadcast that Scherzer “was adamant to the umpires, shouting constantly: ‘It’s just rosin. It is just the rosin. It is just the rosin.'”
Scherzer had pitched three scoreless innings, allowing one hit and two walks with three strikeouts before he was replaced by reliever Jimmy Yacabonis.
Scherzer will now face an automatic 10-day suspension if the umpiring crew informs the MLB office that he was ejected for the use of an illegal foreign substance. He would have the right to appeal the suspension.
This is not Scherzer’s first incident in dealing with the alleged use of sticky substances. Back in June 2021, while a member of the Washington Nationals, Scherzer had multiple substance checks performed against him after then-Philadelphia Phillies manager Joe Girardi requested them.
Scherzer, a three-time Cy Young award winner and eight-time All-Star is in his 16th season in the MLB. He entered Wednesday 2-1 in three starts this season, with a 4.41 ERA and 14 strikeouts against seven walks.
